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A flor de jade vermelha (Mucuna bennettii) pertence ao gênero Mucuna, que reúne uma centena de espécies entre arbustos e trepadeiras. Já a flor de jade azul (Strongylodon macrobotrys) é uma planta trepadeira muito admirada e procurada. Ambas as espécies possuem grande interesse para fins ornamentais. Diante da dificuldade na propagação das plantas, este trabalho objetivou avaliar o efeito da aplicação de ácido indol butírico (AIB) no enraizamento de estacas caulinares. Foram utilizadas estacas herbáceas, semilenhosas e lenhosas coletadas de ramos de plantas adultas e bem desenvolvidas de flor de jade azul e jade vermelha, submetidas à imersão em soluções de AIB (0; 2.000 e 4.000 mg.L-1), durante 15 segundos. A base dessas estacas foi plantada em um canteiro que continha areia como substrato e mantidas em câmara com nebulização intermitente. Foram avaliadas a porcentagem de sobrevivência, porcentagem de enraizamento, estacas com calo, estacas com brotação, número de raízes e comprimento da maior raiz. Pode-se concluir que é possível rizogênese a partir de estacas caulinares com folhas de M. bennettii e S. macrobotrys. Observou-se percentuais de 20 e 4% de enraizamento para M. bennettii e S. macrobotrys, respectivamente. Os resultados corroboram com dados da literatura que tais espécies apresentam baixo percentual de enraizamento através de segmentos destacados de caule. Ensaios adicionais com essas duas espécies devem ser realizados, considerando ajustes nos tipos de estacas e número de folhas, redução nas concentrações de ácido indol butírico e ambiência do propagador.

Interacting with the environment requires a remarkable ability to control, learn, and adapt motor skills to ever-changing conditions. The intriguing complexity involved in the process of controlling, learning, and adapting motor skills has led to the development of many theoretical approaches to explain and investigate motor behavior. This paper will present a theoretical approach built upon the top-down mode of motor control that shows substantial internal coherence and has a large and growing body of empirical evidence: The Internal Models. The Internal Models are representations of the external world within the CNS, which learn to predict this external world, simulate behaviors based on sensory inputs, and transform these predictions into motor actions. We present the Internal Models’ background based on two main structures, Inverse and Forward models, explain how they work, and present some applicability.

Microbial exopolysaccharides (EPS) are promising alternatives to synthetic polymers in a variety of applications. Their high production costs, however, limit their use despite their outstanding properties. The use of low-cost substrates such as agro-industrial wastes in their production, can help to boost their market competitiveness. In this work, an alternative low-cost culture medium (CSLM) was developed for EPS production by

A formal swimming learning occurs through a direct interaction between teacher and learner. The aim of this study is to present models for classification of learning in stages and discuss their implications for the teaching-learning process of swimming. This narrative review was carried out through bibliographic research. We used qualitative and exploratory approaches. Models proposed by Adams (1971), Fitts and Posner, (1967), and Gentile (1972) categorize learning into several stages, accounting for the characteristics of the learners and the environment. To enhance the teaching-learning process of swimming skills, the teacher must recognize the stages in which the learner finds himself, and to establish efficient teaching strategies. The learning stage identification affects the manipulation of variables that interfere in learning, such as setting goals, selecting content, choosing appropriate strategies and assessing learning, regardless of the swimming stroke. Even though some points will differ between swimming styles, such as the specificity, the specificity of errors, the informational demand, and the amount of practice, it is the teacher's role to establish the relationship between the student and the contents to be taught in the teaching-learning process. Overall, the quality of the teaching-learning process will depend on the teacher’s ability to propose contents that are appropriate to the characteristics, needs and expectations of the learners, being sufficiently challenging to arouse motivation and to promote skills learning. El aprendizaje formal de la natación ocurre mediante una interacción directa entre maestro y alumno. El objetivo de este estudio fue presentar modelos de clasificación del aprendizaje en etapas y discutir sus implicaciones para el proceso de enseñanza-aprendizaje de la natación. Esta revisión narrativa se realizó a través de una investigación bibliográfica. Se utilizaron enfoques cualitativos y exploratorios. Los modelos propuestos por Adams (1971), Fitts y Posner, (1967) y Gentile (1972) clasifican el aprendizaje en varias etapas, teniendo en cuenta las características de los alumnos y del entorno. Para potencializar el proceso de enseñanza-aprendizaje de las habilidades de natación, el docente debe reconocer las etapas en las que se encuentra el aprendiz y establecer estrategias de enseñanza eficientes. La identificación de la etapa de aprendizaje afecta la manipulación de variables que interfieren en el aprendizaje, como el establecimiento de metas, la selección de contenidos, la elección de estrategias adecuadas y la evaluación del aprendizaje, independientemente del estilo de natación. Aunque algunos puntos diferirán entre los estilos de natación, como la especificidad y cantidad de información, la especificidad de los errores, la demanda de información y la cantidad de práctica, es el papel del profesor establecer la relación entre el estudiante y los contenidos a enseñarse en el proceso de enseñanza-aprendizaje. En general, la calidad del proceso de enseñanza-aprendizaje dependerá de la capacidad del profesor proponer contenidos adecuados a las características, necesidades y expectativas de los educandos, siendo lo suficientemente desafiantes para despertar la motivación y promover el aprendizaje de competencias. A aprendizagem formal da natação ocorre por meio da interação direta entre professor e aprendiz. O objetivo deste estudo foi apresentar modelos de classificação da aprendizagem em etapas e discutir suas implicações para o processo de ensino-aprendizagem da natação. Esta revisão narrativa foi realizada por meio de pesquisa bibliográfica. Para tanto, utilizaram-se abordagens qualitativas e exploratórias. Os modelos propostos por Adams (1971), Fitts & Posner, (1967) e Gentile (1972) categorizam a aprendizagem em vários estágios, considerando as características dos aprendizes e do ambiente. A fim de potencializar o processo de ensino-aprendizagem na natação, o professor deve reconhecer as etapas em que o aprendiz se encontra e estabelecer estratégias de ensino eficientes. A identificação do estágio de aprendizagem afeta a manipulação de variáveis ​​que influenciam na aprendizagem, como o estabelecimento de metas, a seleção dos conteúdos, a escolha das estratégias adequadas e a avaliação da aprendizagem, independentemente estilo do nado. Ainda que hajam diferenças entre os nados, como a especificidade, a especificidade dos erros, a demanda informacional e a quantidade de prática, é papel do professor estabelecer a relação entre o aluno e os conteúdos a serem ensinados no processo de ensino-aprendizagem. De forma geral, a qualidade do processo de ensino-aprendizagem dependerá da capacidade do professor para propor conteúdos adequados às características, necessidades e expectativas dos aprendizes, conteúdos suficientemente desafiadores para motivá-los e promover aprendizagem.

Long-range proton-fluorine coupling constants (

O consumo de sucos e néctares é tendência mundial. A laranja se destaca como o sabor mais consumido entre as bebidas de frutas prontas para consumo. Objetivou-se obter o perfil sensorial e avaliar a aceitação de duas marcas de néctar de laranja comercializados no estado de Sergipe. Para isso, foram adquiridos 2 lotes de 2 marcas de néctares de laranja produzidos e comercializados em Sergipe, denominadas de marcas A e B e as análises realizadas no laboratório de análise de alimentos da UFS Campus do Sertão. Foram realizadas as análises físico-químicas: pH, SST, acidez titulável, ácido ascórbico, além da colorimetria. O perfil sensorial foi obtido utilizando a Análise Descritiva Quantitativa (ADQ) com uma equipe sensorial de 10 provadores treinados que avaliaram, com base em descritores pré-estabelecidos, a aparência, aroma, sabor e textura de amostras de néctar de laranja, utilizando escala não estruturada de nove pontos. O teste de aceitação foi realizado com 100 provadores não treinados, utilizando a escala hedônica. Analisando os resultados da ADQ foi possível perceber que houve diferenças significativas (p > 0,05) para as amostras na maioria dos atributos avaliados, exceto para a aparência. O teste de aceitação indicou que os néctares das marcas A e B tiveram médias de aceitação para o sabor de 6,27 e 5,86, para os néctares A e B, respectivamente. O Néctar B apresentou maior aroma cozido e gosto de laranja cozida e menor sabor natural de laranja, o que pode estar relacionado com sua menor média de aceitação quanto ao sabor (5,86) e aroma (5,88). De uma forma geral, entende-se que ambas as marcas podem melhorar e investir para uma melhoria dos atributos sensoriais, para uma melhor valorização de seus produtos perante os consumidores.

O processo de micropropagação possibilita a maior rapidez regenerativa das plantas, facilitando a propagação mais rápida quando as tecnologias convencionais são difíceis. No entanto, a ocorrência de bons resultados na micropropagação depende da otimização de enumeras variáveis. Ao final, uma das principais dificuldades na micropropagação de plantas é a contaminação microbiana dos explantes in vitro, a qual afeta o desenvolvimento da planta pela competição dos nutrientes, ou exudando substâncias que acidificam o meio de cultura e ou liberando fitorreguladores. Um dos problemas enfrentados pelos laboratórios de cultura de tecidos vegetais é a contaminação microbiana e há grande dificuldade na identificação da fonte de inóculo e o seu controle. Os microrganismos encontrados na contaminação dos explantes provêm de uma vasta e diversificada escala de grupos ecológicos. Os endofíticos são organismos que em pelo menos uma fase do seu ciclo de vida, habitam o interior de tecidos da parte aérea de plantas assintomáticas, sendo denominados endófitos facultativos ou verdadeiros conforme o grau de interação dos mesmos com as plantas hospedeiras. Assim, o objetivo desta revisão foi explorar sobre os estudos de plantas in vitro associadas a microrganismos endofíticos e os efeitos dessa relação.

Ketosis in dairy cattle is primarily diagnosed based on the concentrations of ketone bodies in the blood, milk, or urine. Cow-side tests using these fluids are available for rapid detection of elevated concentrations of ketone bodies. Although these tests have been extensively validated, the performance of different tests has not been compared over time. Our objectives were to investigate the relationship between point-of-care diagnostic tests measuring the concentrations of β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) in blood (BT; Precision Xtra, Abbott Laboratories), BHB in milk (MT; Keto-Test, Elanco), and acetoacetate (AcAc) in urine (UT; Ketostix, Bayer Corporation) through cases of ketosis. Holstein cows (n = 148) were screened daily for hyperketonemia (HYK; blood BHB ≥1.2 mmol/L) from 3 to 16 d in milk (DIM); moreover, milk and urine samples were collected concomitantly and tested for ketones (ketosis thresholds: 100 µmol/L milk BHB and 5 mg/dL urine AcAc). Of the animals screened (n = 148), 74% were diagnosed with HYK. When diagnosed with HYK, cows were treated with propylene glycol orally once daily for 5 d. After the day of diagnosis (d 0), hyperketonemic cows were retested with BT, MT, and UT for 3 d (d 1, 2, and 3). We assessed the diagnostic test performance and time to ketosis (survival analyses and Cox proportional hazards models) of MT and UT compared with BT. Considering all paired samples (before and after diagnosis of HYK), MT had 61% sensitivity and 91% specificity, whereas the UT had 77% sensitivity and 94% specificity compared with BT. The specificity of MT and UT increased from d 0 to d 1, decreased on d 2, and increased on d 3. The median time to diagnosis of ketosis in blood was 5 DIM (95% CI 5 to 7 DIM); moreover, MT and UT had 2 d greater median time to diagnosis of ketosis compared with the BT [7 DIM (6 to 11 d); and 7 DIM (6 to 13 d), respectively]. We concluded that the UT is a more sensitive predictor of blood BHB concentration than the MT. The UT and MT tests diagnosed ketotic cows approximately 2 d later than the BT. The possible consequences of delay in detection of ketosis in milk and urine should be investigated.

The main goal of this work is to study the influence on mechanical bone behaviour using different thread profiles shapes considered in titanium dental implants. The biomechanical behaviour of bone and thread implant profile play an important role on the study of stresses and strains at bone-implant interface. The success of dental surgeries depends on the mechanical stimulus (stress, strain, strain rate, strain energy, density…) between the bone and the implant. In this work, four different threads profiles shapes were considered (Model 1 - Plateau typeA, Model 2 - Plateau typeB, Model 3 - Triangular, Model 4 - Rectangular) and for each one two internal diameters equal to 4 and 6mm. The results about the chosen thread profile shape and the diameter give additional information about the transferred stresses between bone-implant to guarantee the stability of the implant and sustain loads during or after osseointegration.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the supplementation of embryo culture medium with antioxidant obtained from oily extract of Lippia origanoides on in vitro blastocyst development and quality. Oocytes collected from slaughterhouse ovaries were matured and fertilized in vitro following standard laboratory procedures. Zygotes were cultured in SOF medium supplemented according to the following treatments: T1 embryo culture medium without antioxidant supplementation; T2)50μM/mL Cysteamine; T3)2.5μg/mL; T4)5.0μg/mL and T5)10.0μg/mL of antioxidant obtained from oily extract of Lippia origanoides. On the seventh day of culture, the blastocysts were fixed and evaluated for apoptosis rates, number of total cell and inner cell mass cells by means of the TUNEL Test. The use of antioxidants during cultivation did not increase (P> 0.05) the final blastocyst production rate. The treatments T2, T3, T4 and T5 had the lowest (P< 0.05) apoptotic indexes (4.5±1.1%, 8.4±2.5%, 3.4±1.1% and 5.5±0.9%, respectively) when compared to T1 treatment (10.0±1.4%). The number of inner cell mass did not differ (P> 0.05) among embryos from different treatments. The addition of antioxidant obtained from oily extract of Lippia origanoides reduces the apoptosis rate and improves the quality without increasing the total in vitro production of bovine embryos. RESUMO O objetivo desse estudo foi avaliar a suplementação de meio de cultura de embriões com antioxidante obtido do extrato oleoso da Lippia origanoides no desenvolvimento e na qualidade de blastocistos produzidos in vitro. Oócitos coletados de ovários de matadouros foram maturados e fertilizados in vitro segundo procedimento laboratorial padrão. Zigotos foram cultivados em meio SOF suplementado de acordo com os seguintes tratamentos: T1) meio de cultivo embrionário sem suplementação antioxidantes; T2) 50μM/mL Cisteamina; T3) 2,5μg/mL; T4) 5,0μg/mL e T5) 10,0μg/mL do antioxidante obtido do extrato oleoso de Lippia origanoides. No sétimo dia de cultivo, os blastocistos foram fixados e avaliados para taxa de apoptose, número total de células e massa celular interna através do teste TUNEL. O uso de antioxidantes durante cultivo não aumentou (P>0,05) a taxa de produção final de blastócitos. Os tratamentos T2, T3, T4 e T5 tiverem menor índice apoptótico (p>0,05 - 4,5±1,1%, 8,4±2,5%, 3,4±1,1% e 5,5±0,9%, respectivamente) quando comparados a T2 (10,0±1,4%). O valor de massa celular interna não diferenciou (p>0,05) entre embriões de diferentes tratamentos. A adição de antioxidante obtido do extrato oleoso de Lippia origanoides reduziu a taxa de apoptose e melhorou a qualidade sem aumentar a produção in vitro de embriões bovinos.

Analytical results are often used in scientific research, industrial and clinical applications to support decision making. Despite all efforts to ensure the reliability of analytical results (including method validation, internal quality control, use of certified reference materials, proficiency tests, and ISO 17025 accreditation), there will always be an uncertainty associated with the measured value. The measurement uncertainty expresses the quality of the analytical result and allows the comparability between analytical results or between the measured value and the specification limit(s). This work discusses the importance of measurement uncertainty, including the steps involved in the measurement uncertainty evaluation, the bottom-up and top-down approaches used in measurement uncertainty calculation, the measurement uncertainty evaluation in drug and medicine analyses, and the application of measurement uncertainty in conformity assessment for quality control, stability studies, and pharmaceutical equivalence.

This randomized controlled trial investigated the effects of temporarily reducing milking frequency (MF) on the resolution of ketosis and milk production in dairy cows in early lactation. To detect ketosis [blood β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) ≥1.2 mmol/L], Holstein cows were screened daily from 3 to 16 d in milk using a cow-side meter. Cows diagnosed with ketosis (n = 104) were randomly assigned to twice-daily milking (TDM) or reduced to once-daily milking (ODM) for 2 wk, then returned to twice-daily milking. Both treatment groups received a 5-d treatment of an oral propylene glycol drench (PG; 300 g) beginning on the afternoon of the diagnosis; cows received additional 5-d PG treatments if they had a ketotic test result (blood BHB ≥1.2 mmol/L) at least 4 d after finishing the first PG treatment. Blood BHB tests were conducted for the first 3 d after ketosis diagnosis, and then once every 3 d for 21 d of trial (DOT). Milk and milk component data were collected weekly for 15 wk following trial enrollment. The ODM group showed rapidly and markedly decreased blood BHB concentrations (primiparous cows: 1 DOT, 0.92 ODM vs. 1.22 TDM, 15 DOT, 0.55 vs. 0.81 mmol/L; multiparous cows: 1 DOT, 1.01 vs. 1.40, 15 DOT, 0.78 vs. 1.65 mmol/L). In addition, a logistic regression model indicated that ODM cows were less likely to have blood BHB concentrations ≥1.2 mmol/L [primiparous cows: 3 DOT: ODM 1% (95% confidence interval: 0–10%) vs. TDM 43% (30–58%), 15 DOT ODM 0% (0–0.2%) vs. TDM 22% (13–36%); multiparous cows: 3 DOT: ODM 33% (24–44%) vs. TDM 59% (48–69%), 15 DOT ODM 20.9% (13–31%) vs. TDM 64% (53–74%)]. The proportion of ODM cows that required additional treatments of PG were substantially lower than the TDM group (ODM: 39%; TDM: 64%) than the TDM cows during the initial 21-d period. However, during the 2-wk treatment period, cows in the ODM group produced 26% less milk and 25% less energy-corrected milk than the TDM cows. During wk 3 to 15, when all cows were milked twice daily, ODM cows produced less milk (−14%) and energy-corrected milk (−12%) compared with the TDM group. Milk protein percentage was greater, and milk fat percentage and linear score tended to be greater in the ODM group over 15 wk. In conclusion, a 2-wk reduction of MF in ketotic cows from twice to once daily with treatment with PG resolved ketosis and decreased blood BHB concentrations more effectively than treating TDM cows with PG alone. However, the 2-wk MF reduction had immediate and long-term (up to 13 wk after cessation of MF reduction) negative effects on milk production.

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a serious problem in Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs). It is a multifactorial disease that may influence the growth and development of preterm neonates. The aim of this retrospective case-control study of preterm infants with BPD who were born in our centre was to evaluate the growth of these infants in the first 2 years of life compared with healthy preterm infants and to determine risk factors associated with poor growth. Those with major congenital malformations, congenital TORCH infection, deceased before 36 weeks of postmenstrual age or during the first 28 days of life and those who were transferred during hospitalization and outborn neonates were excluded. A total of 90 preterm neonates were enrolled and 30 (33.3%) of them had BPD. At 12 months of corrected age, gestational age and pre-pregnancy mother’s weight were shown to be associated with short stature. Weight at birth was also associated with low weight and head circumference growth. At 12 months after term, no differences were found within the growth assessment. Our study showed that growth between 12 and 18 months of life in preterm infants with BPD was sufficient to catch up.

Objectives Many acellular dermal matrices (ADMs) are available for use in periodontal surgical procedures. However, few studies exist evaluating their in vivo healing properties. The objectives of this study were to compare the wound healing and remodeling of two ADMs used for gingival augmentation procedures in the rat model. Materials and methods This was a nonrandomized controlled split‐mouth study. Envelope flaps were surgically created in the maxillary quadrants of 24 Sprague Dawley rats. Each received either (a) AlloDerm Regenerative Tissue Matrix, or (b) OrACELL. Gingival tissue from one mandibular quadrant served as the untreated control. Six male and six female rats were treated for 7 or 21 days. Biopsies were processed for histologic analysis (H&E, Picro‐sirius red, Verhoeff's solution) or RNA analysis (RT‐PCR) to analyze the expression of type I collagen (Col1a1), fibronectin (Fn‐1) and VEGF‐A (Vegf‐A). Results There was a greater density of fibroblasts in OrACELL compared to AlloDerm at both timepoints. There was a greater density of elastin present in AlloDerm compared to OrACELL at 7 days but no differences at 21 days. There were no differences between test groups in the percentage of birefringent collagen or in the expression of Vegf‐A or Fn‐1. At 7 days, there were significantly more fibroblasts for males in the OrACELL group compared to females. At 21 days, there was a significantly greater expression of Col1a1 for males in the OrACELL group compared to females. Conclusions Early wound healing and remodeling of OrACELL appeared to occur more rapidly than AlloDerm and was accelerated in male rats. Whether these results have clinical implications for soft tissue grafting procedures in humans remains to be determined.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) refers to a group of heterogeneous disorders associated with chronic inflammation of the gut, having a high rate of incidence in the world. In the present review, we will discuss the link between the short-chain fatty acids, especially butyrate (BT), produced by bacterial fermentation of dietary fiber, and IBD development. Current knowledge supports an anti-inflammatory role for BT and suggests that BT insufficiency may be involved in the pathogenesis of IBD. We will present the molecular mechanisms involved in the anti-inflammatory effect of BT, namely histone deacetylase inhibitor activity, activation of PPARγ and of GPR109A, GPR41 and GPR43 receptors. The histone deacetylase inhibitor activity of BT depends of its absorption by colonocytes. Therefore, BT transporters are also important players in BT-induced anti-inflammatory effect at colonic level. Finally, BT-based future prospects for IBD therapy (modulation of diet (through increased prebiotic (fiber) ingestion) and microbiota (BT-producing probiotic bacteria) supplementation - that can increase the levels of BT in colon - and development of pharmacological BT analogues) will be presented.

Background:Endothelial dysfunction is commonly present in estrogen-deficient states, e.g., after menopause. In the search for alternatives to hormone replacement therapy (HRT), treatments based on phytoestrogens or in non-hormonal mechanisms have been under evaluation.Objective:Here we aim to present an overview of innovative potential treatments for endothelial dysfunction in estrogen-deficient states, introducing our own preliminary data about the probiotic kefir.Methods:We conducted a review based on a PubMed database search for keywords of interest (Menopause, Ovariectomy, Vascular dysfunction, Hot flashes, Metformin, Statins, Phytoestrogens, Omega-3, Vitamin D, Probiotics).Results:Vascular parameters were found to be improved by both metformin and statins through pleiotropic effects, being related to a decrease in oxidative stress and restoration of the nitric oxide pathway. Phytoestrogens such as genistein and resveratrol have also been shown to improve vascular dysfunction, which seems to involve their estrogenic-like actions. Omega-3, vitamin D and its analogues, as well as probiotics, have shown similar vascular beneficial effects in both postmenopausal women and an animal model of ovariectomy (OVX), which could be related to antioxidant and/or anti-inflammatory effects. Moreover, our preliminary data on the probiotic kefir treatment in OVX rats suggested a vascular antioxidant effect. In particular, some evidence points to statins and vitamin D having anti-atherogenic effects.Conclusion:Pleiotropic effects of common medications and natural compounds could have therapeutic potential for endothelial dysfunction in estrogen-deficient states. They could, therefore, work as future complementary or alternative treatments to HRT.

Conventional assays of polymorphonuclear cell (PMN, neutrophil) function such as oxidative burst (OB) and phagocytosis (PC) are widely used to evaluate innate immunity in the transition period of dairy cows. Oxidative burst is commonly evaluated by measuring PMN median fluorescence intensity (MFI) involving the release of reactive oxygen species after in vitro stimulation. Phagocytosis can be measured by engulfment of fluorescent beads by PMN. DQ-ovalbumin (DQ-OVA) is a molecule suitable for the assessment of intracellular proteolytic degradation, so it might be informative about an additional pathway of pathogen handling by PMN. In this study, we evaluated the use of the DQ-OVA assay for the assessment of PMN function and the relationships among OB, PC, and DQ-OVA results in PMN isolated from blood of dairy cows between 5 and 21 d post partum. Results of the DQ-OVA validation assay were assessed with mixed linear regression models. Pearson correlation tests and kappa values for agreement were used to associate the MFI between each PMN function assay (OB, PC, and DQ-OVA). For the validation assay (9 cows in 3 replicates), PMN incubated with DQ-OVA were stimulated with IFN-gamma or inhibited with cytochalasin D, and fluorescence was compared with untreated PMN. Stimulated and inhibited PMN had greater (970 +/- 160 units) and lesser (593 +/- 55 units) MFI relative to untreated PMN (791 +/- 154 units), respectively, indicating that DQ-OVA fluorescence reflected enhanced or reduced endocytic and proteolytic function. To associate the MFI outcomes among OB, PC, and DQ-OVA, 153 samples from 40 cows were analyzed. Results showed significant, although weak association between DQ-OVA and PC MFI (Pearson r = 0.16). When values of MP! were categorized according to the first ("high" PMN functionality), second and third ("moderate" PMN functionality), or fourth ("low" PMN functionality) quartiles, agreement beyond chance (kappa) was moderate: kappa = 0.38 for DQ-OVA and OB, kappa = 0.43 for DQ-OVA and PC, and kappa = 0.43 for OB and PC. The DQ-OVA assay may complement traditional PMN functional assays because it provides additional information regarding the combination of endocytosis and proteolytic degradation, but it is not a substitute for assessment of OB or PC.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the associations of serum markers for systemic inflammation, liver, mineral, and energy status, and blood neutrophil counts with the function of circulating neutrophils in postpartum dairy cows. Blood samples were collected from 21 healthy Holstein cows at 5, 10, 14, and 21 d postpartum. Serum samples were used to measure concentrations of total calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, total protein, albumin, globulin, cholesterol, urea, glucose, gamma-glutamyl transferase, aspartate aminotransferase, glutamate dehydrogenase, haptoglobin (Hp), β-hydroxybutyrate, non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), and insulin-like growth factor-1. The shift of percentage of activated neutrophils for phagocytosis (PPC) and oxidative burst (POB) and the median fluorescence intensity (MFI) for PC (MFIPC), OB (MFIOB), and endocytic and proteolytic degradation measured via DQ-ovalbumin (MFIDQ) were evaluated using flow cytometry. Mixed linear regression models were used to assess the associations of serum concentrations of metabolites and blood neutrophil counts with each neutrophil function assay outcome accounting for d postpartum, parity, and body condition score. Pearson correlation tests (r) were used to describe the relationships of metabolites and neutrophil counts with neutrophil function assays that were significant in the regression models. Greater serum concentrations of Hp were associated with lesser OB function (POB and MFIOB; r = -0.2 for both), but greater PPC and MFIDQ (r = 0.3 for both). Greater serum NEFA and cholesterol were associated with lesser (r = -0.3) and greater (r = 0.2) POB function, respectively. Blood neutrophil counts were associated with PPC (r = -0.2) and MFIDQ (r = -0.3). At 5 d postpartum, greater serum total protein was associated with greater OB function (POB and MFIOB; r = 0.4 for both). Other markers were not associated with neutrophil function. Some metabolic and inflammatory markers in healthy postpartum dairy cows were associated with circulating neutrophil function. However, these associations only explained a small proportion of the variance in neutrophil function. Serum Hp concentration was most associated with neutrophil function changes but had opposite directions of association with OB- and PC-related functions. Future studies should focus on understanding the mechanisms by which Hp and other metabolic indicators affect neutrophil function in healthy and diseased postpartum dairy cows.

This study aimed to investigate the influence of different sites of cacao (Theobroma cacao L.) cultivartion, represented by different soils and cropping systems, on biometrics attributes of pods and beans. The 12 study sites are in the cacao region of Bahia, Brazil, in the humid zone. The variation and the statistical differences between the means of these attributes clearly indicate the influence of genotype and environment interaction. Attributes pod wet biomass, beans with mucilage wet biomass and number of beans were positively correlated with the cultivation sites represented by Argisol Red-Yellow Eutrophic cambisolic and Argisol Red-Yellow Dystrophic Cohesive abrupt soils. The highest values of length and dry weight of dry cacao beans correspond to Argisol Red-Yellow Eutrophic cambisolic. The dystrophic soils are related to lower dry weight values of cacao beans. The selection of cacao cropping sites by biometric attributes also highlighted the Argisol Red-Yellow Eutrophic cambisolic and Argisol Red-Yellow Dystrophic Cohesive abrupt soils. Understanding the variability of cacao biometric attributes emphasizes the importance of using technologies for achieving sustainable production of cacao with quality

The propargylation of aldehydes using potassium allenyltrifluoroborate promoted by tonsil, an inexpensive and readily available clay, in a chemo- and regioselective way is described. The method is simple and avoids the use of air and moisture sensitive organometallics and products were obtained in good to moderate yields.

International audience; Europe is covered by various networks of GNSS stations maintained by different agencies with different technical and scientific objectives. The EPOS-IP (European Plate Observing System - Implementation Phase) project aims to harmonize and standardize data collection and processing and to design and establish dedicated products and services that benefit the existence of national and pan-European infra-structures (in particular EUREF), optimized for Solid Earth Research applications. We present here the efforts carried out by the members of this group to create a distributed software architecture called GLASS, a tool for quality-controlled dissemination within the EPOS, which during the operational phase, to start in 2019, shall provide GNSS data and derived products (coordinates, velocities and strain rates) from thousands of stations in Europe region. We describe the data flows from data suppliers and analysis centers to the various EPOS data portals and the integration into the overall EPOS system. In particular we describe the quality control steps that are performed in the GNSS Data and Products, from validating the station log files, obtaining quality metrics of RINEX files and there role in monitoring the overall system strength. We also describe how time series and other GNSS products computed at several analysis centers are compared and how the detection of outliers and verification of jumps are dealt with. In terms of Data and Product Dissemination we detail the overall software and portal components, the technologies that are used and resulting API's and their descriptions in formal languages for integration into the central EPOS systems software and existing workflow. EPOS-IP is a project funded by the ESFRI European Union.

Polymer flooding is one of the most promising techniques used to increase the productivity of mature oil reservoirs. Polymers reduce the mobility ratio of the injected water relative to the crude oil, improving the displacement of the entrapped oil and consequently, increasing oil recovery. Biopolymers such as xanthan gum have emerged as environmentally friendly alternatives to the chemical polymers commonly employed by the oil industry. However, in order to seek more efficient biomolecules, alternative biopolymers must be studied. Here, the applicability of a biopolymer produced by Rhizobium viscosum CECT 908 in Microbial Enhanced Oil Recovery (MEOR) was evaluated. This biopolymer exhibited better rheological properties (including higher viscosity) when compared with xanthan gum. Its stability at high shear rates (up to 300 s-1), temperatures (up to 80?°C) and salinities (up to 200?g/L of NaCl) was also demonstrated. The biopolymer exhibited better performance than xanthan gum in oil recovery assays performed with a heavy crude oil, achieving 25.7?±?0.5% of additional recovery. Thus the R. viscosum CECT 908 biopolymer is a promising candidate for application in MEOR., This work was supported by PARTEX OIL AND GAS (Lisobon, Portugal). The authors acknowledge the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) for financial support under the scope of the strategic funding of UID/BIO/04469/2013 unit and COMPETE 2020 (POCI-01-0145-FEDER-006684). The authors also acknowledge financial support from BioTecNorte operation (NORTE-01-0145FEDER-000004) and the project MultiBiorefinery (POCI-01-0145FEDER-016403) funded by the European Regional Development Fund under the scope of Norte2020 - Programa Operacional Regional do Norte. Márcia R. Couto was supported by the doctoral Grant SFRH/BD/ 132998/2017 provided by FCT. Débora Ferreira is recipient of a fellowship (UMINHO/BD/21/2016) supported by a doctoral advanced training (call NORTE-69-2015-15) funded by the European Social Fund under the scope of Norte2020 - Programa Operacional Regional do Norte.E.J.Gudiñawassupported bythePost-Doctoral grant UMINHO/BPD/39/2015 from the project UID/BIO/04469/2013, funded by FCT., info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion